Top 20 Most Difficult Video Games of All Time

Top 20 Most Difficult Video Games of All Time

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Are you a glutton for punishment? Well, have we got a list for you. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the Top 20 Most Difficult Games of All Time. For this list, we're looking at some of the hardest games across all of gaming whether their challenges were fair or not.

Before “Gradius” released in 1985, audiences had grown used to the simplistic nature of games like “Space Invaders” and “Galaga”, titles where few bullets took up the screen and enemies came in from one side of the screen. “Gradius” subverted expectations by introducing more complex patterns in enemy movement as well as placing enemies in various areas. Now, you could get flanked from behind or taken out from a hidden turret below. You could say it was one of the earliest examples of the “bullet hell shooter”, and the harder difficulty may or may not have caused players to hold onto their quarters.

Since the dawn of gaming, spikes have become the bane of every player’s existence. If they aren’t being a nuisance in chipping off even more health, they’re insta-killing players at the smallest pixel. However, spikes haven’t been more frustrating than in “VVVVVV”, a 2010 indie title that’s littered with the little buggers. Instead of jumping, you’ll have to rapidly reverse the game’s gravity in order to clear pits. Yes, it is easier said than done, and because of the intricate and tricky level design, you may find yourself seething with rage by the end of your first hour. How anyone can finish this game in under two hours is unfathomable, and yet, some managed to do so.

If you thought “Gradius” was too easy, then might we suggest tackling on “Ikaruga”? Sure, it looks similar to other bullet hell shooters, but there’s a whole new mechanic you’ll have to manage. “Ikaruga” requires you to change the polarity of your ship in order to negate bullets or destroy ships. A simple concept on paper, but the game wastes no time mixing things up, peppering you with bullets of both polarities at the same time! Best pay attention to what you’re doing or you may find yourself quickly decimated.

Yeah, it wouldn’t be long before we started getting into the unfairly hard games, and “Silver Surfer” was one of the worst. A side-scrolling shooter starring Galactus’s servant sounds decent, but in reality, it’s one of the most frustrating experiences we’ve ever endured. Literally ANYTHING in this game can kill you in one hit from enemy projectiles and even walls! One touch equals game over! Needless to say, the game was far too brutal, and we soon found ourselves kneeling over just like the Surfer. We can only imagine how many tantrums were thrown by younger players.

#16: “F-Zero GX” (2003)

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Due to its intense speed and wild track designs, the “F-Zero” franchise has always been one of the toughest racing games you could play. However, the roughest ride in the series was “F-Zero GX” on the GameCube. As breathtaking as it was to see a game running at sixty frames per second, the game’s fast-paced action made it hard for the average player to keep up. The learning curve is so sharp that anyone who picked up a controller would find their vehicle exploding before finishing their second lap. Those that stuck around to hone their skills found a wild and exhilarating experience.

#15: “Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening” (2005)

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The “Devil May Cry” series has been known to be rather challenging in its combat; you’ll need to pull every combo you know and take as little damage as possible if you want a high grade! Of them all, “Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening” is the most notorious entry in the franchise. Players had to be at their best performance to emerge victorious, but because the game’s normal mode was Japan’s Hard mode, few made it to the end. Fans had become so frustrated that Capcom had to re-release the game as “Devil May Cry 3: Special Edtion” with adjusted difficulty.

“Takeshi’s Challenge” is certainly one of the oddest titles you could find on the Famicom, but don’t let its absurd (and occasionally depressing nature) demeanor fool you. This game’s difficulty lies in just not knowing what the hell you’re supposed to do. There are no checkpoints, little indication that the player is progressing, and some actions can potentially make the true ending blocked off. Considering this game holds one of the worst, anti-climatic endings in gaming history, you best consider your life choices before booting it up.

#13: “Mega Man 9” (2008)

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Yeah, the first “Mega Man” game was pretty damn hard, but of every game in the franchise, “Mega Man 9” has held the title for being the hardest. In addition to having stronger enemies, tricky levels, and tougher boss fights than previous installments, “Mega Man 9” features an unforgiving list of achievements, some of which require you to beat the entire game without losing a life or using an E-tank. You’ll also have to beat the game five times in one day and beat the game in under an hour for two other achievements. Hope you like the Blue Bomber enough to complete it!

#12: “Cuphead” (2017)

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With its gameplay similar to another platformer-shooter and frenetic boss battles, “Cuphead” has quickly become one of the most memorable games of the 2010’s. Said boss battles, however, are also why it is on this list. As you take on the likes of Goopy Le Grande, Hilda Berg, and the Phantom Express, you’ll be enduring phases for so long that it’ll feel like you’ve been in the fight for at least an hour. With so many objects filling the screen, you may find it difficult to keep yourself from getting hit long enough to see the end. The game may say the boss battle was a minute or two, but we could have sworn we aged a few years.

Ah, yes, Capcom’s most infamous game in their entire catalog, where Arthur must traverse several hazardous areas to rescue Princess Prin from Lucifer. When it comes to talking about difficult games, you simply can’t leave this one out of the conversation. The game is constantly spawning monsters that can kill you in two hits. On top of that, health is rare, and the platforming requires a hefty amount of precision. As if it wasn’t hard enough to beat the game on your first run, you’ll have to defeat Lucifer a second time if you want to see the true ending. Although, is the stress really worth it?

“Contra” was already hard enough in how it demanded players to avoid getting hit once as bullets filled the screen. “Contra: Hard Corps”, on the other hand, cranked the difficulty to eleven. Enemies are harder to kill, there are more bullets flying across the screen, and bosses are bigger and badder than ever. While the bosses do hold weak points, it doesn’t make the game any less difficult. Plus, if you want to experience everything the game has to offer, you’ll have to do multiple playthroughs as the game features branching paths.

#9: “Super Meat Boy” (2010)

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If “Cuphead” was enough to make your blood boil, then “Super Meat Boy” will have your thyroid pulsating. “Super Meat Boy” is one of the most tantalizing experiences you’ll have in a video game. Every level is loaded in buzz saws, and the platforming demands players to be near-perfect in execution. The boss battles are no laughing matter either, especially the fight against Little Horn which requires you to memorize his entire pattern! Mind you, “Super Meat Boy” is an excellent game, but it is definitely not for those who rage easily.

Nintendo has made its fair share of difficult games (as we’ll see later on), and one of their toughest games was “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!” While many of us have shown King Hippo who the real champ is, few have risen to the challenge to take on challengers like Bald Bull, Super Macho Man, and of course, the former heavyweight boxing champ himself - Mike Tyson. Even though every boss has their tells, some happen so quickly that we can’t react fast enough to throw a punch! Not even Tyson himself could beat his video game counterpart!

#7: “Dark Souls” (2011)

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I mean, come on - are any of us surprised to see a “Dark Souls” game (let alone a FromSoftware game) on this list? While the last two games were hard in their own ways, we just have to give the spot to the very first game, specifically because there’s so much more unfair bullsh**. One area that immediately enters our minds is the accursed Blighttown, an area that throws incredibly strong enemies into groups and requires a hefty amount of backtracking. Veteran players may not find the first “Dark Souls” to be as hard as they did initially, but newcomers will be foaming at the mouth.

#6: “Castlevania” (1986)

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Think you’ve got the chops to take on Dracula’s legendary castle? Well, maybe you do, but aren’t just gonna walk in and walk out. “Castlevania” will find every way to troll you while beating you senseless! Enemies can take away large chunks of your health, and the knockback could potentially cause you to fall off the level. (Trust us - it WILL happen!) Boss fights can be equally frustrating at times as you’ll have specific windows to dodge their attacks, and some may only take damage when hit in certain areas. Still think you can bring down Drac?

#5: “Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels” (1993)

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Originally the true “Super Mario Bros. 2” (at least in Japan), Nintendo had sheltered this game from Western audiences fearing it would steer them away from the franchise. ...And they had every right to do so. “The Lost Levels” is insanely punishing in comparison to the first game’s standard platforming, requiring pixel-perfect jumps and utilizing levels where Mario or Luigi has to cross specific paths in order to progress. Frustrating? Absolutely. Fair? [hesitantly] Mmm...no. If you dare approach this game, do so with the NES subscription service on Switch. You’re going to need that rewind feature.

Didn’t think “VVVVVV” had enough spikes? Well, say hello to 2018’s media darling, “Celeste”! While it boasts a wonderful tale that focuses on a character struggling with depression and anxiety, “Celeste’s” main attraction is its intense platforming. As you progress, levels will demand flawless execution, throwing in more obstacles and more spikes to kill you off. And you’ll find the game gets extremely hard when you get to the B-Side or C-Side stages. Our advice? Enjoy the breathers while you can and don’t be afraid to walk away for a bit.

#3: “I Wanna Be the Guy: The Movie: The Game” (2007)

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Most platformers on this list have been difficult due to tough jumps and tricky obstacles. “I Wanna Be the Guy” is unlike any of them, relying heavily on trial-&-error. The game does everything in its power to kill you off in some ludicrous way whether it is by hurling a wall of spikes at you or blocks suddenly plummeting to the bottom. So, if there’s a friend that gets on your nerves sometimes or has done something mildly irritating recently, have them sit down and play this game! You’ll enjoy witnessing their rage and colorful language!

#2: “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” (2019)

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After playing through FromSoftware’s previous titles - the “Dark Souls” franchise and “Bloodborne” - we didn’t think it was possible for them to make a harder game. Well, way to put our foot in our mouths! “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” may look like a Soulsborne game, but it does NOT play like a Soulsborne game. In order to emerge victorious in combat, you’ll have to utilize stealth at any given opportunity. Observe your environment, and learn how to use it to get the drop on enemies. Get even a little sloppy, and you’ll wind up dead. “Sekiro” is far more punishing than From’s other games, but we wouldn’t want it any other way!

Even when TWO FromSoftware games are on this list, we still have to declare “Battletoads” as the hardest game of all time. There’s simply too much that this game throws at players that have caused many a controller to break. For starters, those speeder bike levels… DEAR GAWD, the speeder bike levels! The increasing speed demands fast inputs that are almost impossible to execute with primitive controllers. And if you thought co-op would make the game easy, you’re dead wrong! It can be really easy to hit your friends and possibly cost them a life AND if just one of you die, you both have to restart the level. If there was one word to describe “Battletoads”, it’d be “sadistic”.